The Wolf King and the Wilted Flower

re

cloaked man standing at the

rth and distant rain. His black cloak billowed around his tall figure like a shad

pair of deep blue

re

sak

rocious intensity tha

d grown stronger than his helplessness. Perha

owered above him. Even dyi

he ground like the ribs of a buried giant, spreading in every direction across the sacred hill

e were n

t

atest treasure st

t was

e everyt

the shadow of this cursed tree. Ever since he could think for himself, he h

ood unrivaled. Its warriors were feared across continents. Its lands flourished. Its population grew stronge

ame th

name anymore. Only the de

had destroyed her. When her heart shattered, so did her mercy. Using forbidden magi

the wolves. If the tree weakened,

tree

d finish th

s were born weaker every generation. Many wolves struggled to shift. Others became trapped between forms. Some had lost t

ickly. It simply stole ev

o

eng

tu

ven the sacred hill was dying now. His shoulders felt heavier than usual. Perhaps because he

ty-f

ough t

ough t

s mother died. Seven years sinc

ed toward the

had loved

ike

rge from seemingly dead wood. Leaves would grow along the

t, the curse woul

m would br

she

ing began f

rcy upon werewolves. Although unable to break the witch's

ssed with sacred floral magic. Only they could nu

a Kings married Ronas

ess

viv

he kingdom would

t. And after her death, the

d growing. Leav

after

by

none r

dom had gathered to watch the single golden leaf detached from its branch

ye

hout a single

l escaped

decline. It was his father's weakness. The mighty Alpha King had sur

ed, his father simpl

topped attending council meetings. Sto

ning, they found h

oz

il

had finally

ried the consequences. The scar was invisible in the back of Grey's mind: that love only hur

Maje

ce interrupted

As Beta of the kingdom and Grey's closest friend, he understood when

Council s

ased a lo

rse th

w. As if repeating the same problem wou

e remai

om remain

ge either fact. Still, duty demand

ast time. Its skeletal branches seemed to reach toward hi

Ro

dom need

diat

ear. Not n

o

ding a woman. Hated how every path led back to King Valir, the man who controlled every known Rona in

alone sour

Grey aske

ated. Never

ges reported three

pression

Another curse

kened too much, they lost their human form.

uld no longer

the b

d away. "Non

ce fo

av

res

ed his ey

bir

ore reg

ng. The king

nning one da

eyes again, the a

and s

o

easier tha

t this ov

us n

les twisted. His cloak fell to the ground

a

we

ee

olf knew th

te fur erupted across his skin. Moments later, the King of the We

t whit

st roy

med beneath storm clouds. Upon his forehead rested a silver lunar ma

ness the form

felt

er reminder of expectations. Another symbol

a beast permanently. Only Alphas could still shift between human form and wolf form due to

ld blurred. Wind roared past his ears. Fields flashed by. Th

ped to watch. Children pointed. Adults bowe

ticed a

e than hatred ever could. Hope meant expec

Dark stone walls rose above the surrounding landscape

mmediately bowed. Servants scattered. The giant

he transformation reversed. Fur vanished. Bones cracke

y dressed. Enti

othes. Without talking, Marcus quic

lothes, the large wooden doors open

ai

ady knew

, the council chamber

e circular table. Every face

nc

e

erat

he kingdom. Grey noticed several new red m

der

ty," Elder

seat. "What is

ces with the others. No on

his throat. "The Everlasting T

ecame deat

y knew, hearing the wor

l st

in the air like an

pla

ve stopped ab

lders loo

ecline, the tree may not

ye

side him, so

pression rema

hfully he knew what solution the elders wanted.

ha

where thi

himself before saying, "T

cou

Ron

ys a

u must marry one immediately. Only a Rona bonded by marr

. "King Valir is holding his

d the entire kingdom, the treasury also dwindled. Being in a cursed kingdom wit

said, "The kingdom needs

o needs heirs,"

wan said, "The ki

t for a chance to talk. Each of them only brought mo

nded reasonable.

s the p

ding this moment. Seven years

were

hand. The room quiete

rs spreading like bloodstains across his

pty branches. The barren roots. The people d

ightened.

lders

nd Valir's

day, genuine relief a

hat

alvation was possible. Because i

e deep

rchase not a bride. But the last frag

f he

be nothing l